BEA announced the release of its WebLogic Network Gatekeeper 3.0, which is a Telecom Web Services and Service Access Gateway solution for next-generation service delivery platforms (SDP). System enhancements are aimed at helping operators maximize their investment in existing networks, as well as generate additional revenue from new SDP and IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network capabilities. In particular, the new features focused on enhanced Telecom Web Services capabilities, IMS and Java EE integration, enhanced policy enforcement and Service Creation Environment (SCE). This includes:
- Enhanced Telecom Web Services -- Delivers simple Web service interfaces for telecom capabilities such as Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) Push, terminal location, terminal status, third-party call control, call notification, audio calls, call handling, presence and payments. Also supports event-triggered notifications for user status and location.
- IMS and Java EE Integration -- Native support for Java EE, Java Web Services, SIP and IMS. Based on the Java EE application platform, BEA WebLogic Server, and the converged SIP-IMS application server, BEA WebLogic SIP Server.
- Enhanced Policy Enforcement -- Provides ability to enforce SLA policies across geographically distributed data centers. Also supports callable policy interfaces that allow policy enforcement to be extended to external applications and services.
- Service Creation Environment -- Includes the Software Developer Kit (SDK) and Extension Toolkit -- both of which support integration with Eclipse-based Integrated Development Environments (IDE) and enable developers to easily create and test applications using Telecom Web Services, as well as create custom Telecom Web Services and network plug-ins.
BEA claims 36% of the overall market for middleware used in the telecommunications industry, according to a recent report from OSS Observer. BEA's share of the market for middleware for the telecommunications industry grew 29% from the previous year, while the next closest competitor grew at a rate of 20%. Furthermore, OSS Observer estimates that spending on IT middleware in the telecommunications industry will grow from $836 million in 2006 to $1.8 billion in 2011 at a 16% CAGR.
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